Nowadays, dental problems are a part and parcel of our lives. We eat and drink everyday but we forget to take proper care of our teeth. As a result, we face various dental problems like tooth decay, gum disease, teeth staining and many more. In this post we will learn about some of the most important oral problems and how we can avoid them.
Bad Breath
One of the most embarrassing dental problems which people of all ages suffer is Bad Breath. Scientifically known as Halitosis, bad breath is caused due to poor dental hygiene and not following the vital rules of dental care, i.e. Brushing and Flossing regularly. As food particles get stuck between our teeth when we eat, it helps in the growth of bacteria. When combining with saliva, bacteria breaks the food particles and releases an unpleasant gas. As we exhale air, the gas is released, causing bad breath. Drinking alcohol, chewing tobacco related products and smoking regularly are the main contributors of foul breath.
Dry Mouth
Xerostomia or dry mouth syndrome is a common symptom which is caused by reduced amount of saliva in our mouth. Dry mouth is a common side effect of different drugs used to cure pain, allergies, diarrhea and other sedatives. But if we don't take any precaution in time, it can cause tooth decay and other dental problems. Saliva is an essential body fluid which helps in protecting our teeth against cavities and bacteria and also enhancing our taste and helping in digestion. If the production of saliva is reduced, our body may experience serious health related issues.
Periodontal (Gum) Disease
Gum Disease is one of the most common dental problems which is observed among lots of people. If not cured early, it can be the reason for your premature tooth loss. Gum disease can be of two types - Gingivitis and Periodontitis.
Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease where bacteria and plaque formed between teeth cause gums to become swollen and inflamed. Due to this inflammation, gums start bleeding when we brush our teeth. Although our teeth and gums do not suffer any major damage at this stage, if left untreated for a long time, it can cause severe deterioration to your teeth and gums. This stage is known as Periodontitis. As plaque grows around the tooth and below the gum line, bacterial toxins break down the bone and tissues holding the tooth. If still not treated by a periodontist, more bleeding and swelling in gums will take place and in the end your tooth may fall out.
How to Avoid Dental Problems??
We all know that every problem has a solution. Therefore if we try hard, we can avoid all types of dental problems. The most important way of preventing tooth problems is to brush and floss regularly and visit the dentist twice in a year for dental check-ups. We must also maintain a proper oral hygiene and stop smoking and chewing tobacco related products. Avoiding drinks with high quantity of sugar and soda helps keeping our teeth strong and healthy. We must try to eat a healthy and balanced diet to keep our body and teeth strong. It really helps!!
